JBL has had some ups and downs in its Charge speaker line, and we haven’t always recommended the newest version when JBL makes an “upgrade”. But the JBL Charge 5 is a suitable, minor improvement over the Charge 4, and depending on your specific feature needs and the pricing at the time you read this, it may be worth it to you to buy the newer model, even if the older one is available at a discount.
We’ll break down the main feature differences in the table below, and then expand on what we and the best critics around the internet have had to say about these two speakers and the differences in how they sound and what they can do.
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Side-by-Side Comparison: JBL Charge 4 vs. JBL Charge 5
| JBL Charge 4 | JBL Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Our take in a nutshell | The JBL Charge 4 is a horizontal wine-bottle sized speaker that goes extremely loud while still maintaining an even mix; it offers quite a bit of clarity and bass depth | The newer JBL Charge 5 nearly the same size and improves just slightly in terms of sound and top volume play, the low end sounds a bit crisper and the added tweeter brings more clarity and emphasis to the high end; at this particular size, with its water- and dust-proofing, external-device charging capability, and its balanced, powerful delivery, it's currently the best-sounding speaker with this feature set and price |
| Interface | • Bluetooth pairing • Volume controls • Power • Connect+ button for pairing with compatible speakers • Play/pause | • Bluetooth pairing • Volume controls • Power • PartyBoost+ button for pairing with compatible speakers • Play/pause |
| Notes | • One 50 x 90 mm oval transducer • Available in 10 solid colors as well as two types of camouflage | • One 52 mm x 90 mm woofer • One 20 mm tweeter • Available in 5 solid colors as well as camouflage |
| Connectivity | • Bluetooth v4.2 • One USB-A output for charging other devices • Charges via USB-C cable (USB-A to USB-C cable included, but you need a (quite handy) wall outlet to USB-C converter like this if you don't have one) • A mini 3.5mm (typical headphone) stereo input for playing music from older devices | • Bluetooth v5.1 • One USB-A output for charging other devices • Charges via USB-C cable (included), but you need a (quite handy) wall outlet to USB-C converter like this if you don't have one) • No audio input jack |
| Frequency Range | 60Hz - 20kHz | 65 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Output Power | 30 W | 30 W |
| Battery life (advertised) | • 20 hours from a 7500mAh battery • You can charge a phone or other device off of the speaker's battery • Five-light battery indicator | • 20 hours from a 7500mAh battery • You can charge a phone or other device off of the speaker's battery • One-light battery indicator dims as battery gets weaker |
| Speakerphone | No | No |
| Pair multiple units | Yes; connect multiple JBL Connect + speakers (not compatible with JBL Connect nor PartyBoost) for bigger sound or stereo | Yes; connect multiple JBL PartyBoost speakers (not compatible with JBL Connect or Connect+) for bigger sound or stereo |
| Waterproof? | Completely waterproof (IPX7) | Completely waterproof and dustproof (IP67) |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
| Height (in.) | 3.66 | 3.76 |
| Width (in.) | 8.66 | 8.7 |
| Height (cm.) | 9.3 | 9.65 |
| Width (cm.) | 22 | 22.3 |
| Weight (g.) | 965 | 960 |
| Weight (oz.) | 34.04 | 33.86 |
| Shop around for best prices | • Amazon • JBL | • Amazon • BestBuy • JBL |
The (Small) Feature Differences in This Upgrade
The JBL Charge 4 was already a rather recent and very full-featured speaker with USB-C charging; we’d noted the Charge as the rugged speaker with big sound compared to its JBL siblings the Pulse 4 and Flip 5. JBL’s Charge line of speakers has always been about as big and heavy as a bottle of wine, and with a semi-cylindrical shape meant to be placed on its side on its own rubber footing. The focus for the Charge speakers is on great, loud, bass-forward sound in a very portable and durable package.
The JBL Charge 5 continues in this tradition, and is a rather minor upgrade, particularly in terms of features. Here are the key things to know:
- While the Charge 4 and Charge 5 have nearly the same size, weight, and form, you’ll notice an even more screamingly large JBL logo on the Charge 5, and that the sides are tapered in somewhat to make it a slightly trapezoidal cylindrical shape, which means that the Charge 5 leans ominously if placed vertically. You’ll want to use these speakers horizontally in any case for best sound.
- The JBL Charge 4 is IPX7 waterproof, meaning it can withstand submersion under a meter of water for 30 minutes, and should be fine therefore if used in the shower or near water. The JBL Charge 5 is rated IP67 waterproof, which is a slightly better rating meaning that it can also withstand dust (in addition to being fine under a meter of water for 30 minutes). So while the JBL Charge 5 could be expected to stand up slightly better to real-world use and abuse, the durability and life expectancy of the the two speakers is nearly the same.
- The JBL Charge 4 has a mini 3.5mm input jack (the same you see for most headphone connections) so that you can connect legacy music devices that do not use Bluetooth, like an old iPod or other MP3 player. The Charge 5 lacks this. We think it’s a nice and sometimes-useful feature, though likely most people don’t need it since any modern computer, tablet, or phone will be able to connect with the JBL Charge 4 or 5 via Bluetooth.
- If you buy two JBL Charge 4s OR buy two JBL Charge 5s, you can pair them together with the app to get true left and right stereo, or in mono mode if your goal is simply to boost the volume and spread of the sound. The Charge 4 connects with any (older model) JBL speaker that features “Connect +” and the Charge 5 connects with the (more recent) JBL speakers that feature “PartyBoost”. These two JBL systems are not intercompatible, so you cannot, for example, connect simultaneously one JBL Charge 4 with one JBL Charge 5.
- The JBL Charge 5 and Charge 4 do not support AAC or AptX, but these supposed improvements are not apparent to most listeners on most speakers in any case.
- Both the JBL Charge 4 and 5 offer an excellent (excessive, even) 20-hour battery life with a 7500mAh battery, and, as with other JBL speakers, reviewers and users generally report that the battery life estimate that is marketed is pretty accurate, though your results will vary depending on play volume and conditions. Also, using either speaker just a bit each day, you may be able to go for a couple of weeks without recharging.
- There is a USB-A out on both the JBL Charge 4 and 5, which allows you to charge a phone or other device from the speaker’s battery. This is a highly useful feature when you’re in a pinch; say you’re using the speaker outdoors away from a power supply and need to recharge a phone to keep the tunes flowing. It’s also great for travel, as you don’t need to carry a separate USB-C battery and speaker; the JBL Charge 4 or 5 can serve as both in one. (Although personally I prefer a somewhat smaller speaker for travel that also sounds great.)
Overall either speaker will provide all of the features that one would need and expect from a Bluetooth speaker, and there are no major or concerning differences. We think the biggest advantage of the JBL Charge 4 and 5 over its rivals in price and size from other brands is the possibility to charge your phone or other device off of the speaker’s high-capacity battery.
The Sound Comparison: JBL Charge 4 vs. Charge 5
The JBL Charge 4 was often one of the top-rated Bluetooth speakers of its size and price, and the JBL Charge 5’s accolades have been even a bit better. The improvement in sound is a small step up, but perceptible.
The critics and audiophile reviewers who weighed in on the JBL Charge 4 generally laud its even performance and very present and convincing bass end for a speaker of its size. The speaker goes very loud, enough to fill a large and crowded living room, and does so without much distortion. At the very top volumes it doesn’t sound quite as good, but at such volumes careful and complete accuracy is likely not a priority anyway. It offers a sense of soundstage and separation of instruments, and is directional and so sounds best when you’re right in front of it. The bass is impressive but not overbearing and the mids and highs ring out clearly and with good balance.
The JBL Charge 5 is a minor but useful step up in the ears of most critics who have given it a listen thus far. It performs even better at home-rattling top volumes, with very little distortion. The Charge 5’s sound profile is similar to the Charge 4; the bass is present, strong, and prioritized but not unbalanced. While JBL advertises a low-end frequency limit of 60 Hz for the Charge 4 and 65 Hz for the Charge 5, it is the Charge 5 that actually feels like it has a bit more depth and agility on the low end.
As with most JBL speakers, the priority placed on strong bass for the Charge 5 doesn’t mean that the sound is unbalanced. Vocals and guitars ring out clearly and brightly, and there is a richness and some sense of soundstage from this forward-facing speaker. As with the Charge 4, you’ll want to place the Charge 5 on the edge of a gathering of people or facing you directly, as it sounds best from the front. And neither the JBL Charge 4 or 5 has EQ controls in its app—though the built-in balance is fine for most tastes.
If you’d prefer a full, rounded sound from a 360-degree speaker that you place in the middle of the action and that offers EQ controls, we highly recommend the Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 3 at this size and price. (Here’s a comparison of the JBL Charge 4 and Megaboom 3.) And if you want a smaller JBL speaker, check out our comparison of the Charge’s little siblings the JBL Flip 5 or Flip 6.
And you want even better sound than the JBL Charge 5, but want to stay in the JBL universe of very durable, portable, bass-forward speakers, you could consider the differences between the Charge 5 and the Xtreme 3, or else the next step up between the JBL Xtreme 3 and Boombox 2. But for most people the Charge 5 offers plenty of volume and bass oomph and is a more convenient (and more affordable) way to have good sound on the go.
Wrap-Up: Which Gives You the Right Charge?
We think most people will be just fine with the JBL Charge 4; check the prices below and in particular check the various color options at the links as certain colors are sometimes heavily discounted. If the price difference allows you to afford two Charge 4s and link them together for stereo, or else just one Charge 5, we’d definitely opt for a pair.
That said, the JBL Charge 5 does sound a bit better, especially at top volumes, and for some of you it may be worth a few extra bucks. You can also link two Charge 5s together.
JBL speakers have a tradition of holding up well over time and come with a one-year warranty. That said, if you plan on using the speakers away from power sources, we do not recommend refurbished or used models that you may find available on Amazon or elsewhere, as there is no way to tell how many cycles the battery has already been through, and you could have bad luck and have to keep it plugged in.
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